JPH11132105A - Exhaust heat distributor and waste heat utilizing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a cogeneration system in a small size, and facilitate maintenance. SOLUTION: A waste heat distributor 101 consists of a pump 111, a temperature flow rate sensor 113, a supplying side header 115 for branching water, rate regulating valves 117a, 117b, a bypass flow rate regulating valve 119, a returning side header 125, a temperature flow rate sensor 121, and a main arithmetic unit for outputting control commands 141, 143, 145 on the basis of a waste heat utilizing information and signals 137, 139 detected by the temperature flow rate sensors 113, 121. Waste heat is distributed according to demand and supply, a temperature of fuel cell is stabilized, and a pump and a circulating passage are simplified. It is thus possible to facilitate to form the fuel cell in a compact size, and it is also possible to reduce the burden of maintenance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for stably distributing and adjusting exhaust heat in a cogeneration system using a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust heat utilization system using the exhaust heat distribution apparatus. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An exhaust heat utilization system in cogeneration is performed by connecting exhaust heat utilization devices in series or in parallel and adjusting the flow rate of each path. However, the supply amount of exhaust heat is finite and required. Not just available.

[0003] In a fuel cell cogeneration system, it is necessary to operate the power generation section at an appropriate temperature, and the temperature varies depending on the type of fuel cell. For example, if the phosphoric acid type is 190-
It is said that temperatures of 220 ° C., 600 to 700 ° C. for the molten carbonate type, 900 to 1000 ° C. for the solid oxide type, and room temperature to 120 ° C. for the solid polymer type are suitable for operation.

[0004] Even in an internal combustion engine type cogeneration, it is desirable to operate stably at a predetermined temperature because the fuel conditions in the engine change depending on the temperature and affect the power generation efficiency.

In order to keep the power generation section of the fuel cell at a predetermined temperature, in the prior art, a fuel cell power generation apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-174281 or the like, as shown in FIG. Device 2a, air supply device 3, steam separator 4
a, a cooling device 4 comprising a circulation pump 4b and a water amount control valve 4c, a recirculation device 6 comprising a recirculation pump 6a, a cooling water recirculation flow rate control valve 6b, and the like, a control device 7, and the like.
The waste heat is used for reforming and other devices in the form of steam from the steam separator 4a.

[0006] The fuel cell power generator disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 63-174281 discloses a cooling water outlet side between a cooling water outlet side and a cooling water inlet side of a fuel cell independently of a cooling water circulation system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recirculation system that fluidly connects the cooling water inlet side to a predetermined high temperature of the fuel cell regardless of the load.

The cooling device 4 is a cooling unit 1 for the fuel cell.
c, steam separator 4a, circulation pump 4b, water flow control valve 4
c, which form a circulatory system in which these are sequentially and liquidally combined. A part of this cooling device, that is, the fuel cell cooling unit 1
A recirculation system 5 is provided between the inlet and outlet of the cooling water c so as to fluidly connect the two. In the recirculation system, a part of the cooling water discharged from the cooling unit is forcibly cooled.
A recirculation device 6 is provided for returning to the inlet side of the device. The control device 7 controls the cooling water recirculation flow control valve 6b and the cooling water flow control valve so as to increase the amount of recirculation while maintaining the flow rate of the cooling water on the inlet side of the cell cooling section always at the flow rate W in response to the decrease in the load of the fuel cell. By controlling each of the valve opening degrees 4c, a predetermined high temperature can be maintained.

[0008]

However, in the conventional apparatus, the fuel cell power generator itself has two water circulation systems, which increases the number of equipment to be equipped, and is not suitable for miniaturization. Was. In addition, the increase in equipment to be equipped tends to cause water pollution, and the number of maintenance locations tends to increase.

Furthermore, in the conventional apparatus, since the exhaust heat utilization system is separately designed and installed according to the amount of exhaust heat and the exhaust heat utilization equipment, labor is required to construct the exhaust heat utilization system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, in which the size of the exhaust heat supply source is easy, the installation is easy, the contamination of cooling water is suppressed, the maintenance burden is light, and the temperature of the heat source is reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust heat distribution device and an exhaust heat utilization system capable of distributing exhaust heat while maintaining stability.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an exhaust heat distribution device comprising: a pump for circulating a heat medium; and a feed-side detecting means for detecting a state of a feed side of the heat medium. A branching means and a joining means of the heat medium, a flow rate adjusting means provided in at least one or more paths connected to the exhaust heat utilization device after the branching, a bi-pipes path directly connected to the joining means after the branching, It is provided with control means for controlling the flow rate adjusting means and return side detection means for detecting the state of the heat medium on the return side.

The control means sends a command to each flow rate adjusting means on the basis of the exhaust heat demand in the exhaust heat utilization equipment and the state of the heat medium detected by the sending side detection means and the return side detection means, and the respective exhaust heat utilization means Adjust the flow distribution of the heat medium to the equipment and the bypass path.

In this manner, the exhaust heat can be distributed according to the demand and supply, and the temperature of the exhaust heat source can be stabilized, and the size of the exhaust heat source can be reduced by simplifying the pump and the circulation path. It becomes easy and the maintenance burden can be reduced.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, it is only necessary to connect the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization equipment to the exhaust heat distribution device having appropriate specifications. In addition, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pump, a heat medium branching means, a feed side detecting means between the pump and the branching means, and a branched path are re-joined to generate an exhaust heat supply source. A flow path adjusting means provided on each path branched from the branching means and connected to the exhaust heat utilization device; a bypass path branched from the branching means and directly connected to the merging means; provided on the bypass path Bypass flow rate adjusting means, a return side detecting means between the merging means and the exhaust heat supply source, and the flow rate adjustment based on exhaust heat demand and output signals of the sending side detecting means and the return side detecting means. And control means for controlling said bypass flow rate adjusting means.

According to this configuration, the temperature of the exhaust heat source can be stabilized by distributing the exhaust heat according to the demand and supply, and the pump and the circulation path can be simplified to simplify the exhaust heat source. The downsizing becomes easy and the maintenance burden can be reduced.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, it is only necessary to connect the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization equipment to the exhaust heat distribution device having appropriate specifications. In addition, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump, a heat medium branching means, a feed side detecting means between the pump and the branching means, and a merging means for joining the branched paths again to the exhaust heat supply source. And a flow rate adjusting means provided on each path branched from the branching means and connected to the exhaust heat utilization device; a bypass path branched from the branching means and directly connected to the merging means; and a bypass flow rate provided on the bypass path. An adjusting unit, a radiating unit to which one path branched from the branching unit is connected, a radiator flow adjusting unit provided on a path connected to the radiating unit from the branching unit, a merging unit, and a waste heat supply source. Return side detecting means, and control means for controlling the flow rate adjusting means and the bypass flow rate adjusting means based on exhaust heat demand and output signals of the sending side detecting means and the return side detecting means. It is.

According to this configuration, the temperature of the exhaust heat supply source can be stabilized by distributing the exhaust heat according to the demand and supply, and the pump and the circulation path can be simplified to simplify the exhaust heat supply source. The downsizing becomes easy and the maintenance burden can be reduced.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, it is only necessary to connect the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization equipment to the exhaust heat distribution device having appropriate specifications. In addition, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Further, by adding the heat radiating means and the radiator flow rate adjusting means, even if the exhaust heat is excessively supplied, the exhaust heat can be stably distributed and discharged.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump, a branching means for a heat medium, a feed-side detecting means between the pump and the branching means, and a merging means for joining the branched paths again and leading to a waste heat supply source. A flow control means provided on each path branched from the branch means and connected to the waste heat utilization device; a path-specific detection means provided between each waste heat utilization device and the joining means; A bypass route that branches off from the
Bypass flow rate adjusting means provided on the bypass path;
Return side detecting means between the confluent means and the exhaust heat supply source, based on exhaust heat demand and output signals of the sending side detecting means and the return side detecting means, the flow rate adjusting means and the bypass flow rate adjusting means; Is provided.

According to this configuration, the temperature of the exhaust heat source can be stabilized by distributing the exhaust heat according to the demand and supply, and the pump and the circulation path can be simplified to simplify the exhaust heat source. The downsizing becomes easy and the maintenance burden can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, it is only necessary to connect the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization equipment to an exhaust heat distribution device having appropriate specifications. In addition, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Further, by adding the path-specific detection means, the amount of waste heat used in each device can be accurately determined, and the exhaust heat can be distributed to each waste heat utilization device with high accuracy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump, a heat medium branching means, a feed side detecting means between the pump and the branching means, and a merging means for re-merging the branched path and leading to a waste heat supply source. A flow control means provided on each path branched from the branch means and connected to the waste heat utilization device; a path-specific detection means provided between each waste heat utilization device and the joining means; A bypass route that branches off from the
Bypass flow rate adjusting means provided on the bypass path;
Radiating means to which one path branched from the branching means is connected;
A radiator flow adjusting means provided on a path connected to the radiating means from the branch means; a return side detecting means between the merging means and the exhaust heat supply source; an exhaust heat demand and the sending side detecting means; A control means for controlling the flow rate adjusting means and the bypass flow rate adjusting means based on an output signal of the return side detecting means.

According to this configuration, the temperature of the exhaust heat source can be stabilized by distributing the exhaust heat according to the demand and supply, and the pump and the circulation path can be simplified to simplify the exhaust heat source. The downsizing becomes easy and the maintenance burden can be reduced.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, it is only necessary to connect the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization equipment to the exhaust heat distribution device having appropriate specifications. In addition, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Further, by adding the path-specific detecting means, the amount of waste heat used by each device can be accurately determined, and the exhaust heat can be distributed to each waste heat utilizing device with high accuracy.

Further, by adding the heat radiating means and the radiator flow rate adjusting means, even if the exhaust heat is excessively supplied, the exhaust heat can be stably distributed and discharged.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exhaust heat supply source,
An exhaust heat distribution device capable of distributing and adjusting exhaust heat, a heat exchanger and an exhaust heat utilization device are provided, and an exhaust heat supply source and an exhaust heat distribution device are connected via a heat exchanger.

According to this configuration, the number of connected devices can be reduced, and the circulating medium is separated on the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization side, so that the contamination of the circulating medium can be reduced and the maintenance burden can be reduced.

Further, since the circulating medium is separated between the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat utilization side, the type of the circulating medium can be freely changed in each circulating system.

In addition, if the exhaust heat distribution device is changed according to the number and form of the exhaust heat utilization devices, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily configured.

Further, by using the exhaust heat distribution device according to the first aspect, it is possible to stabilize the temperature of the exhaust heat supply source by distributing the exhaust heat in accordance with demand and supply, and to provide a pump and a circulation path. The simplification makes it easier to reduce the size of the exhaust heat supply source.

Further, if the exhaust heat distribution device according to the second aspect is used, the heat radiation means and the radiator flow rate adjusting means can be added to stably distribute and discharge the exhaust heat even when the exhaust heat is excessively supplied. Can be.

Furthermore, if the exhaust heat distribution device according to the third aspect is used, the amount of exhaust heat used in each device can be accurately determined by the addition of the detection means for each path, and the exhaust heat distribution to each exhaust heat utilization device can be performed. Can be performed with high accuracy.

Further, if the exhaust heat distribution device according to the fourth aspect is used, the amount of exhaust heat used in each device can be accurately determined by the addition of the detection means for each route, and the exhaust heat distribution to each exhaust heat utilizing device can be performed. Can be performed with high accuracy, and the addition of the heat radiating means and the radiator flow rate adjusting means can stably distribute and discharge the exhaust heat even when the exhaust heat is excessively supplied.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, in Embodiment 1, the exhaust heat distribution device 101 of the present invention includes a pump 111
And a temperature flow sensor 113 corresponding to a sending side detecting means.
And a feed-side header 115 for branching water as a circulating medium.
And flow control valves 117a, 11 corresponding to flow control means.
7b, a bypass flow rate adjusting valve 119, a return side header 125, a temperature flow rate sensor 121 corresponding to a return side detecting means, and a main arithmetic unit 123 corresponding to a control means.

Since the pump and the flow rate / exhaust heat adjusting means are integrated into one, the configuration of the exhaust system of the fuel cell 102 can be simplified and the size can be easily reduced. In addition, simply select an exhaust heat distribution device with appropriate specifications and connect an exhaust heat supply source such as a fuel cell to a waste heat utilization device such as a hot water panel or hot water tank.
A desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily configured.

The pump 111 takes out hot water from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 102 as a waste heat supply source, and branches the hot water through the temperature flow sensor 113 into the feed header 1.
Send to 15. At this time, the temperature and flow rate sensor 113 detects the temperature and flow rate of the hot water, and the detection signal 137 is sent to the main processing unit 123.

In the header 115 on the feed side, hot water flows through the flow control valve 117a, and the hot water panel 103, which is a waste heat utilization device,
a, a route to the hot water storage tank 103b, which is a waste heat utilization device via the flow rate control valve 117b, and a route to the return side header 125 via the bypass flow rate control valve 119. The flow control valves 117a and 117b and the bypass flow control valve 119 set the opening degree according to the control commands 141, 143 and 145 from the main processing unit 123, and distribute the hot water flow and the bypass flow to the hot water panel 103a and the hot water tank 103b. To adjust.

The hot water that has flowed through the three paths merges again at the return side header 125, and the temperature flow sensor 1
The process returns to the fuel cell 102 via 21. At this time, the temperature and flow rate of the hot water are detected by the temperature flow sensor 121, and a detection signal 139 thereof is sent to the main processing unit 123.

The main processing unit 123 communicates with an external device to obtain exhaust heat utilization information 135 of the hot water panel 103a and the hot water tank 103b. Then, based on this information and the detection signals 137 and 139 from the temperature and flow sensors 113 and 121, respective control commands 141, 143 and 145 are issued.

In general, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the operating temperature of the power generation section is from room temperature to 120 ° C. However, when it is considered as a cogeneration system, the use of exhaust heat such as a hot water panel or hot water storage is considered. And 60 ° C to 90 ° C. If the temperature is too low, the efficiency of using waste heat decreases,
If the temperature is too high, a large amount of energy is required to humidify the solid polymer film, and the power generation efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, in order to keep the temperature of the power generation section of the fuel cell 102 at an appropriate temperature, it is necessary to use exhaust heat corresponding to the amount of heat generated. If the temperature of the power generation unit is low or the amount of waste heat used is large relative to the amount of heat generation, the bypass flow rate is increased, and the flow rates to the hot water panel 103a and the hot water tank 103b are reduced. Conversely, when the temperature of the power generation unit is high or the amount of waste heat used is small relative to the amount of heat generated, the bypass flow rate is reduced, and the hot water panel 103a and the hot water tank 103
Increase the flow rate to b.

As a result, since the exhaust heat can be stably distributed, the operation can be performed with high overall efficiency. In the examples,
Temperature flow sensor 113 and temperature flow sensor 121
Detected the temperature and flow rate of the hot water, and used the information to balance the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 102 and the amount of waste heat used. According to this method, it is possible to not only accurately perform the distribution of the exhaust heat, but also to estimate a temporal change or an abnormality such as a pressure loss of the circulation system or the pump performance of the pump 111, and expect improvement in reliability.

However, an object of the present invention is to detect only the temperature of the feed side and the return side of the hot water and to control the flow rate regulating valves 117a and 117b and the bypass flow rate regulating valve 119 so that the respective detected values become predetermined temperatures. Can be obtained. This method is particularly effective when the cost of the apparatus is more important than the accuracy of distributing the exhaust heat.

Further, the effect of the present invention can be obtained by detecting only the flow rate of the hot water on the feed side and the temperature of the hot water on the return side, or by detecting only the temperature on the feed side and the flow rate on the return side.

Although a solid polymer fuel cell is used as the exhaust heat supply source in the embodiment, the present invention can be easily applied to other fuel cells such as a phosphoric acid fuel cell and an internal combustion engine.

(Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG. 2, in Embodiment 2, the exhaust heat distribution device 201 of the present invention
And a temperature flow sensor 213 corresponding to the sending side detecting means.
And a feed header 215 for branching water as a circulating medium.
And flow control valves 217, 217 corresponding to flow control means.
b, a flow control valve 227 corresponding to a flow control means, a fan coil 229, a bypass flow control valve 219, a return header 225, a temperature flow sensor 221 corresponding to a return detection means, and a main operation corresponding to a control means. Device 223
It is composed of

Since the pump and the flow rate / exhaust heat adjusting means are integrated into one, the configuration of the exhaust system of the fuel cell 202 can be simplified and the size can be easily reduced. In addition, simply select an exhaust heat distribution device with appropriate specifications and connect an exhaust heat supply source such as a fuel cell to a waste heat utilization device such as a hot water panel or hot water tank.
A desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily configured.

The pump 211 takes out hot water from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 202 which is a waste heat supply source, and feeds the feed header 2 which branches the hot water through the temperature flow sensor 213.
Send to 15. At this time, the temperature and flow rate of the hot water are detected by the temperature and flow sensor 213, and the detection signal 237 is sent to the main processing unit 223.

The hot water in the feed-side header 215 passes through the flow control valve 217a, and the hot water
a, a path to the hot water storage tank 203b, which is a waste heat utilization device, via the flow control valve 217b, a path to the fan coil 229, via the flow control valve 227, and a return header via the bypass flow control valve 219. There are four routes to return to 225. Flow control valves 217a, 217b, 227
And the main body 223
The opening degree is set according to the control commands 241, 243, 245, and 247 from the hot water panel 203a and the hot water tank 203b.
And the distribution of the hot water flow to the fan coil 229 and the distribution of the bypass flow.

The hot water that has flowed through the four paths merges again at the return header 225, and is returned to the temperature flow sensor 2.
The process returns to the fuel cell 202 via 21. At this time, the temperature and the flow rate of the hot water are detected by the temperature flow sensor 221, and the detection signal 239 is sent to the main processing unit 223.

The main processing unit 223 communicates with external devices to operate the fuel cell 202 and obtain information on the hot water panel 203a.
And the exhaust heat utilization information 235 of the hot water storage tank 203b. Then, based on this information and the detection signals 237 and 239 from the temperature and flow sensors 213 and 221, each control command 2
41, 243, 245, 247 are issued.

In general, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the operating temperature of the power generation section is from room temperature to 120 ° C. However, when it is considered as a cogeneration system, the use of exhaust heat such as a hot water panel or hot water storage is considered. And 60 ° C to 90 ° C. If the temperature is too low, the efficiency of using waste heat decreases,
If the temperature is too high, a large amount of energy is required to humidify the solid polymer film, and the power generation efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, in order to maintain the temperature of the power generation section of the fuel cell 202 at an appropriate temperature, it is necessary to use the exhaust heat corresponding to the amount of generated heat. If the temperature of the power generation unit is low or the amount of waste heat used is large relative to the amount of generated heat, the bypass flow rate is increased, and the flow rates to the hot water panel 203a and the hot water tank 203b are reduced. Conversely, when the temperature of the power generation unit is high or the amount of waste heat used is small relative to the amount of heat generation, the bypass flow rate is reduced, and the hot water panel 203a and the hot water storage tank 203 are reduced.
Increase the flow rate to b.

When there is no demand for exhaust heat and there is excess heat, an appropriate amount of hot water is supplied to the fan coil 229 to release heat.

As a result, even when there is no demand for exhaust heat, heat can be radiated and the exhaust heat can be distributed stably, so that operation with high overall efficiency can be performed.

In the embodiment, the temperature flow sensor 21
3 and the temperature flow sensor 221 detect the temperature and flow rate of the hot water, and use the information as information for balancing the heat generation amount of the fuel cell 202 and the waste heat utilization amount. According to this method,
In addition to accurately performing the distribution of the exhaust heat, it is possible to estimate a temporal change or an abnormality such as a pressure loss of the circulating system and a pump performance of the pump 211, so that an improvement in reliability can be expected.

However, an object of the present invention is to detect only the temperature of the supply side and the return side of the hot water and control the flow rate regulating valves 217a, 217b and the bypass flow rate regulating valve 219 so that the respective detected values become predetermined temperatures. Can be obtained. This method is particularly effective when the cost of the apparatus is more important than the accuracy of distributing the exhaust heat.

Further, the effects of the present invention can be obtained by detecting only the flow rate of the hot water on the feed side and the temperature of the hot water on the return side, or by detecting only the temperature on the feed side and the flow rate on the return side.

Although a solid polymer fuel cell is used as an exhaust heat supply source in the embodiment, the present invention can be easily applied to other fuel cells such as a phosphoric acid fuel cell and an internal combustion engine.

(Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 3, in Embodiment 3, the exhaust heat distribution device 301 of the present invention comprises a pump 311
And a temperature flow sensor 313 corresponding to a sending side detecting unit.
And a feed header 315 for branching water as a circulating medium.
And flow control valves 317a and 317 corresponding to flow control means.
7b and a temperature flow sensor 3 corresponding to a path-specific detecting means
31a and 331b, a bypass flow control valve 319, a return header 325, a temperature flow sensor 321 corresponding to a return detection unit, and a main processing unit 3 corresponding to a control unit.
23.

Since the pump and the flow rate / exhaust heat adjusting means are integrated into one, the configuration of the exhaust system of the fuel cell 302 can be simplified and the size can be easily reduced. In addition, simply select an exhaust heat distribution device with appropriate specifications and connect an exhaust heat supply source such as a fuel cell to a waste heat utilization device such as a hot water panel or hot water tank.
A desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily configured.

The pump 311 takes out hot water from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 302 which is an exhaust heat supply source, and branches the hot water through the temperature flow sensor 313 into the feed header 3.
Send to 15. At this time, the temperature and flow rate of the hot water are detected by the temperature and flow sensor 313, and the detection signal 337 is sent to the main arithmetic unit 323.

The hot water in the feed-side header 315 passes through the flow control valve 317a and passes through the hot water panel 303, which is a waste heat utilization device.
a, a path to the hot water storage tank 303b, which is a waste heat utilization device via the flow rate control valve 317b, and a path to the return side header 325 via the bypass flow rate control valve 319. The flow rate adjusting valves 317a, 317b and the bypass flow rate adjusting valve 319 set the opening in accordance with the control commands 341, 343, 345 from the main processing unit 323, and distribute the hot water flow rate and the bypass flow rate to the hot water panel 303a and the hot water tank 303b. To adjust.

The hot water flowing out of the hot water panel 303a and the hot water tank 303b is supplied to the temperature flow sensors 331a and 331, respectively.
b to the return header 325. At this time, the temperature and flow rate sensor 331a detects the temperature and flow rate of the hot water after exiting the temperature panel 303a, and the temperature and flow rate sensor 331b detects the temperature and flow rate of the hot water after exiting the hot water tank 303b, and the detection signals 333a and 333b are the main calculations. Sent to the device 323.

The hot water flowing through the three paths joins again at the return side header 325, and the temperature flow sensor 3
The process returns to the fuel cell 302 via 21. At this time, the temperature and flow rate of the hot water are detected by the temperature and flow rate sensor 321, and the detection signal 339 is sent to the main arithmetic unit 323.

The main processing unit 323 communicates with external devices, and operates the fuel cell 302 and the hot water panel 303a.
And the exhaust heat demand information 335 of the hot water storage tank 303b. Then, this information and the detection signals 337 and 339 from the temperature flow sensors 313 and 321, the temperature flow sensor 331 a,
The control commands 341, 343, and 345 are issued based on the detection signals 333 a and 333 b from the 331 b.

Generally, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the operating temperature of the power generation section is from room temperature to 120 ° C., but when it is considered as a cogeneration, it is considered that the waste heat is used as a hot water panel or hot water storage. And 60 ° C to 90 ° C. If the temperature is too low, the efficiency of using waste heat decreases,
If the temperature is too high, a large amount of energy is required to humidify the solid polymer film, and the power generation efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, in order to keep the temperature of the power generation section of the fuel cell 302 at an appropriate temperature, it is necessary to use exhaust heat corresponding to the amount of heat generated. If the temperature of the power generation unit is low or the amount of waste heat used is large relative to the amount of generated heat, the bypass flow rate is increased, and the flow rates to the hot water panel 303a and the hot water tank 303b are reduced. Conversely, when the temperature of the power generation unit is high or the amount of waste heat used is small relative to the amount of heat generation, the bypass flow rate is reduced, and the hot water panel 303a and the hot water tank 303
Increase the flow rate to b.

Further, the temperature and flow sensors 331a, 33
From the hot water temperature and flow rate detected by 1b, the hot water panel 3
03a and the amount of waste heat used in the hot water storage tank 303b can be calculated, respectively, and more accurate distribution of waste heat can be performed.

As a result, since the exhaust heat can be stably distributed with high distribution accuracy, the operation can be performed with high overall efficiency.

In the embodiment, the temperature flow sensor 31
3 and the temperature flow sensor 321 detect the temperature and flow rate of the hot water, and use the information as information for balancing the heat generation amount and the exhaust heat utilization amount of the fuel cell 302. According to this method,
In addition to accurately performing the distribution of the exhaust heat, it is possible to estimate a temporal change or abnormality such as a pressure loss of the circulating system and a pump performance of the pump 311, and it is possible to expect an improvement in reliability.

However, the object of the present invention is to detect only the temperature of the feed side and the return side of the hot water and control the flow regulating valves 317a and 317b and the bypass flow regulating valve 319 so that the respective detected values become the predetermined temperatures. Can be obtained. This method is particularly effective when the cost of the apparatus is more important than the accuracy of distributing the exhaust heat.

Further, the effect aimed at by the present invention can be obtained by detecting only the flow rate of hot water on the feed side and the temperature of hot water on the return side, or by detecting only the temperature on the feed side and the flow rate on the return side.

Similarly, temperature flow sensors 331a, 331
As for b, only the temperature is detected, and the flow rate is determined by the flow control valve 3
A method of estimating from the command signal values of the bypass flow rate adjustment valve 319 and the bypass flow rate adjustment valve 319 is possible.

Although a solid polymer fuel cell is used as a waste heat supply source in the embodiment, the present invention can be easily applied to other fuel cells such as a phosphoric acid fuel cell and an internal combustion engine.

(Embodiment 4) As shown in FIG. 4, in Embodiment 4, the exhaust heat distribution device 401 of the present invention includes a pump 411.
And a temperature flow sensor 413 corresponding to a sending side detecting unit.
And a feed header 415 for branching water as a circulating medium.
And flow control valves 417a, 41 corresponding to flow control means.
7b and a temperature flow sensor 4 corresponding to a path-specific detecting means
31a and 431b, a flow control valve 427 corresponding to a flow control means, a fan coil 429, and a bypass flow control valve 4
19, a return side header 425, a temperature flow sensor 421 corresponding to the return side detecting means, and a main processing unit 423 corresponding to the control means.

Since the pump and the flow rate / exhaust heat adjusting means are combined into one, the structure of the exhaust heat system of the fuel cell 402 can be simplified and the size can be easily reduced. In addition, simply select an exhaust heat distribution device with appropriate specifications and connect an exhaust heat supply source such as a fuel cell to a waste heat utilization device such as a hot water panel or hot water tank.
A desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily configured.

The pump 411 takes out hot water from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 402 which is a waste heat supply source, and branches the hot water via the temperature flow sensor 413 into the feed header 4.
Send to 15. At this time, the temperature and flow rate sensor 413 detects the temperature and flow rate of the hot water, and the detection signal 437 is sent to the main processing unit 423.

The hot water in the feed-side header 415 passes through the flow control valve 417a, and flows through the hot water panel 403, which is a waste heat utilization device.
a, a path to the hot water storage tank 403b, which is a waste heat utilization device, via the flow rate control valve 417b, a path to the fan coil 429, via the flow rate control valve 427, and a return header via the bypass flow rate control valve 419. 425 is divided into four routes. Flow control valves 417a, 417b, 427
And the main flow control device 423
The opening degree is set according to the control commands 441, 443, 445, 447 from the temperature panel 403a and the hot water tank 403b.
And the distribution of the amount of hot water to the fan coil 429 and the distribution of the bypass flow rate.

Hot water exiting the hot water panel 403a and the hot water storage tank 403b is supplied to the temperature flow sensors 431a and 431, respectively.
b to the return header 425. At this time, the temperature and flow rate sensor 431a detects the temperature and flow rate of the hot water after exiting the hot water panel 403a, and the temperature and flow rate sensor 431b detects the temperature and flow rate of the hot water after exiting the hot water tank 403b, and the detection signals 433a and 433b are the main calculations. It is sent to the device 423.

The hot water that has flowed through the four paths merges again at the return header 425,
The process returns to the fuel cell 402 via 21. At this time, the temperature and flow rate of the hot water are detected by the temperature and flow rate sensor 421, and the detection signal 439 is sent to the main processing unit 423.

The main processing unit 423 communicates with external devices to operate the fuel cell 402 and the hot water panel 403a.
And the exhaust heat utilization information 435 of the hot water storage tank 403b. Then, this information and the temperature and flow rate sensors 413, 421, 43
Detection signals 437, 439, 433 from 1a, 431b
a, 433b, and the respective control commands 441, 44
Issue 3,445,447.

Generally, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the operating temperature of the power generation section is from room temperature to 120 ° C. However, when it is considered as a cogeneration system, the use of exhaust heat such as a hot water panel or hot water storage is considered. And 60 ° C to 90 ° C. If the temperature is too low, the efficiency of using waste heat decreases,
If the temperature is too high, a large amount of energy is required to humidify the solid polymer film, and the power generation efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, in order to keep the temperature of the power generation section of the fuel cell 402 at an appropriate temperature, it is necessary to use exhaust heat corresponding to the amount of generated heat. If the temperature of the power generation unit is low or the amount of waste heat used is large relative to the amount of generated heat, the bypass flow rate is increased, and the flow rates to the hot water panel 403a and the hot water tank 403b are reduced. Conversely, when the temperature of the power generation unit is high or the amount of waste heat used is small relative to the amount of heat generated, the bypass flow rate is reduced, and the hot water panel 403a and the hot water tank 403 are used.
Increase the flow rate to b.

Then, when there is no demand for exhaust heat and there is excess heat, an appropriate amount of hot water is supplied to the fan coil 429 to radiate heat.

Further, the temperature and flow sensors 431a, 43
From the hot water temperature and flow rate detected by 1b, the hot water panel 4
03a and the amount of exhaust heat used in the hot water storage tank 403b can be calculated respectively, and more accurate exhaust heat distribution can be performed.

As a result, even when there is no demand for exhaust heat, heat can be dissipated, and the exhaust heat can be stably distributed with high distribution accuracy, so that operation with high overall efficiency can be performed.

In the embodiment, the temperature flow sensor 41
3 and the temperature / flow rate sensor 421 detect the temperature and flow rate of the hot water, and use it as information for balancing the calorific value of the fuel cell 402 and the amount of waste heat used. According to this method,
In addition to accurately performing the distribution of the exhaust heat, it is possible to estimate a temporal change or an abnormality such as a pressure loss of the circulating system or the pump performance of the pump 411, so that improvement in reliability can be expected.

However, the object of the present invention is to detect only the temperature of the sending side and the returning side of the hot water and control the flow rate adjusting valves 417a and 417b and the bypass flow rate adjusting valve 419 so that the respective detected values become predetermined temperatures. Can be obtained. This method is particularly effective when the cost of the apparatus is more important than the accuracy of distributing the exhaust heat.

[0096] Further, the effect of the present invention can be obtained by detecting only the flow rate of the hot water on the feed side and the temperature of the hot water on the return side, or by detecting only the temperature on the feed side and the flow rate on the return side.

Similarly, temperature flow sensors 431a, 431
For b, only the temperature is detected and the flow rate is
For example, a method of estimating from the command signal values of the bypass flow rate adjusting valve 419 and the bypass flow rate adjusting valve 419 is possible.

Although the solid polymer fuel cell is used as the exhaust heat supply source in the embodiment, the present invention can be easily applied to other fuel cells such as a phosphoric acid fuel cell and an internal combustion engine.

(Embodiment 5) As shown in FIG. 5, in Embodiment 5, an exhaust heat utilization system 551 of the present invention comprises a polymer electrolyte fuel cell main body 553 corresponding to an exhaust heat supply source and a battery main body side. 555, a heat exchanger 557, and an exhaust heat distribution device 501.

The exhaust heat distribution device 501 can be provided in the fuel cell 502 as shown in FIG. 5, and by changing the exhaust heat distribution device of different specifications according to the application, the fuel cell 502
Can be easily increased.

On the fuel cell main body side with the heat exchanger 557 interposed therebetween, the pump 555 takes out cooling water whose temperature has risen from the fuel cell main body 553 and supplies it to the heat exchanger 557.
After heat exchange is performed between the cooling water and the heat exchange water sent from the exhaust heat distribution device 501 in the heat exchanger 557, the cooled water whose temperature has dropped returns to the fuel cell main body 553.

On the side of the exhaust heat distribution device 501, the heat exchanger 5
The heat-exchanged water, which has been heated at 57 and becomes hot water, is received, and the hot water panel 503a and the hot water storage tank 50 serving as the exhaust heat utilization device
Send warm water to 3b. At this time, the flow rate of the hot water sent to the hot water panel 503a and the hot water storage tank 503b is distributed by the exhaust heat distribution device 501 in accordance with the exhaust heat demand of each device and so that the supplied exhaust heat is used up.

In general, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the operating temperature of the power generation section is from room temperature to 120 ° C. However, when it is considered as a cogeneration system, the use of exhaust heat such as a hot water panel or hot water storage is considered. And 60 ° C to 90 ° C. If the temperature is too low, the efficiency of using waste heat decreases,
If the temperature is too high, a large amount of energy is required to humidify the solid polymer film, and the power generation efficiency is reduced.

In the present invention, the temperature of the fuel cell main body 553 is kept substantially constant by the operation of the exhaust heat distribution device 501, and a cogeneration system with high overall energy efficiency can be obtained.

Here, the first to fifth embodiments are applied to the exhaust heat distribution device 501.
If any one of the exhaust heat distribution devices is used, the effect of each exhaust heat distribution device can be obtained.

By using the exhaust heat distribution device of the first embodiment, the exhaust heat can be distributed according to the demand and supply, and the temperature of the fuel cell main body 553 can be stabilized. Battery body 553 can be compactly assembled.

When the exhaust heat distribution device of the second embodiment is used, the fan coil and the flow control valve for adjusting the flow rate of hot water to the fan coil can stably distribute and discharge the exhaust heat even when the exhaust heat is excessively supplied. be able to.

If the exhaust heat distribution device of the third embodiment is used, by providing a temperature and flow rate sensor for detecting the temperature and flow rate of the hot water returned from the hot water panel 503a and the water heater 503b, the amount of waste heat used by each device is provided. Can be accurately understood, and the exhaust heat distribution to the hot water panel 503a and the water heater 503b can be performed with high accuracy.

Similarly, when the exhaust heat distribution device of the fourth embodiment is used, even if the exhaust heat is excessively supplied, the exhaust heat can be stably distributed and distributed.
The heat can be released, and the exhaust heat can be distributed to the hot water panel 503a and the water heater 503b with high accuracy.

Further, since the heat exchanger 557 completely separates the circulating water system on the fuel cell main body 553 side from the circulating water system on the exhaust heat distribution device 501 side, the fuel cell main body 553
Cooling water contamination can be suppressed, and the burden of maintenance and the like can be reduced. Further, it is possible to change the components of water in the circulating water system on the side of the fuel cell main body 553 and the circulating water system on the side of the exhaust heat distribution device 501 to compositions suitable for each.

Further, if exhaust heat distribution devices having different specifications such as the number of connection paths and the discharge pressure characteristics of the pump are prepared in advance,
By selecting the specifications of the exhaust heat distribution device according to the amount of exhaust heat and the capacity and number of exhaust heat utilization devices such as hot water panels and hot water storage tanks, it is possible to easily configure a desirable exhaust heat utilization system.

Although the solid polymer fuel cell is used as the exhaust heat supply source in the embodiment, the present invention can be easily applied to other fuel cells such as a phosphoric acid fuel cell and an internal combustion engine.

[0113]

As is apparent from the above embodiment, the invention according to claim 1 distributes exhaust heat according to demand and supply,
By stabilizing the temperature of the fuel cell and simplifying the pump and the circulation path, the size of the fuel cell can be easily reduced, and the maintenance load can be reduced.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, the exhaust heat distribution apparatus of appropriate specifications is provided with a fuel cell and exhaust heat utilization equipment such as a hot water panel and a hot water tank. Is connected, the desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the exhaust heat can be distributed according to demand and supply, the temperature of the fuel cell can be stabilized, and the size of the fuel cell can be reduced by simplifying the pump and the circulation path. This makes it easier to reduce the maintenance burden.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, the exhaust heat distribution apparatus having appropriate specifications is provided with a fuel cell and exhaust heat utilization equipment such as a hot water panel and a hot water tank. Is connected, the desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Further, the addition of the fan coil and the flow control valve has an effect that the exhaust heat can be stably distributed and released even when the exhaust heat is excessively supplied.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, according to this structure, the exhaust heat can be distributed according to the demand and the supply, the temperature of the fuel cell can be stabilized, and the pump and the circulation path can be simplified. This has the effect of reducing the size of the fuel cell and reducing the maintenance burden.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, the exhaust heat distribution apparatus having appropriate specifications is provided with a fuel cell and exhaust heat utilization equipment such as a hot water panel and a hot water tank. Is connected, the desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Further, by adding the path-specific detecting means, the amount of waste heat used in each device can be accurately determined, and the exhaust heat can be distributed to the waste heat utilizing devices such as hot water panels and hot water tanks with high accuracy. To play.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, according to this configuration, the exhaust heat can be distributed according to the demand and supply, and the temperature of the fuel cell can be stabilized, and the fuel pump can be simplified by simplifying the pump and the circulation path. This has the effect of making it easier to reduce the size of the battery and reducing the maintenance burden.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, the exhaust heat distribution apparatus having appropriate specifications is provided with a fuel cell and exhaust heat utilization equipment such as a hot water panel and a hot water tank. Is connected, the desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Further, by adding the path-specific detection means, the amount of waste heat used in each device can be accurately determined, and the waste heat can be distributed to the waste heat utilization devices such as hot water panels and hot water tanks with high accuracy. To play.

Further, the addition of the fan coil and the radiator flow rate adjusting means has an effect that the exhaust heat can be stably distributed and released even when the exhaust heat is excessively supplied.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the exhaust heat can be distributed in accordance with the demand and the supply, the temperature of the fuel cell can be stabilized, and the pump and the circulation path can be simplified to reduce the size of the fuel cell. This makes it easier to reduce the maintenance burden.

Further, since the equipment necessary for constructing the exhaust heat utilization system is integrated into one, the exhaust heat distribution apparatus having appropriate specifications is provided with a fuel cell and exhaust heat utilization equipment such as a hot water panel and a hot water tank. Is connected, the desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily installed.

Furthermore, since the number of connected devices can be minimized, pollution can be reduced, and the type of circulating medium on the fuel cell and the exhaust heat utilization side can be changed according to the conditions of the exhaust heat utilization devices such as hot water panels and hot water storage tanks. Can be changed.

Further, by changing the exhaust heat distribution device according to the number and form of the exhaust heat utilization devices such as hot water panels and hot water tanks to be connected, a desired exhaust heat utilization system can be easily configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of a waste heat distribution device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of the exhaust heat distribution device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of the exhaust heat distribution device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of the exhaust heat distribution device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a waste heat utilization system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell system showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 201, 301, 401, 501 Exhaust heat distribution device 102, 202, 302, 402 Fuel cell 103a, 203a, 303a, 403a Hot water panel 103b, 203b, 303b, 403b Hot water tank 111, 211, 311, 411 Pump 113, 213, 313, 413 Sending-side temperature flow sensor 117a, 217a, 317a, 417a, 117b,
217b, 317b, 417b Flow control valve 119, 219, 319, 419 Bypass flow control valve 121, 221, 321, 421 Return side temperature flow sensor 123, 223, 323, 423 Main processing unit 227, 427 Radiator flow control valve 229 , 429 Fan coil 331a, 431a, 331b, 431b Temperature flow sensor 553 Fuel cell body 555 Pump 557 Heat exchanger

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A pump for taking out and circulating heat from a waste heat supply source, branching means for branching a circulation flow path of the heat medium, and the heat medium positioned between the pump and the branching means. A feed-side detecting means for detecting the state of the medium on the feed side; a joining means for joining the branched paths again to guide the exhaust heat supply source; and a path branched from the branch means and connected to the exhaust heat utilization device. Flow rate adjusting means, a bypass path branched from the branching means and directly connected to the merging means, a bypass flow rate adjusting means provided in the bypass path and adjusting a flow rate of the heat medium in the bypass path, and Return-side detection means for detecting the state of the heat medium that has been returned to the joining means and located between the exhaust-heat supply source, and exhaust heat demand and outputs of the feed-side detection means and the return-side detection means Heat distribution device characterized by comprising a control means for controlling said bypass flow rate adjusting means and the flow rate adjusting means based on the item. 2. A pump for removing and circulating a heat medium that mediates heat from an exhaust heat supply source, branching means for branching a circulation path of the heat medium, and the heat medium positioned between the pump and the branching means. Feed-side detecting means for detecting the state of the feed-side, merging means for merging the branched paths again and leading to the exhaust heat supply source, and a path branched from the branch means and connected to the exhaust heat utilization equipment. Flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium, a bypass path branched from the branching means and directly connected to the merging means, and a bypass flow rate adjusting means provided on the bypass path and adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium,
A radiator for radiating heat of the heat medium to which one of the paths branched from the diverter is connected; a radiator flow controller for adjusting a flow rate of the heat medium to the radiator;
A return-side detection unit that is located between the merging unit and the exhaust heat supply source and detects a state of the heat medium that has returned to the merging unit; exhaust heat demand, the sending-side detecting unit, and the return side An exhaust heat distribution device comprising: a control unit that controls the flow rate adjusting unit, the bypass flow rate adjusting unit, and the radiator flow rate adjusting unit based on an output signal of a detecting unit. 3. A pump for taking out and circulating a heat medium for transferring heat from an exhaust heat supply source, branching means for branching a circulation path of the heat medium, and the heat medium positioned between the pump and the branching means. Feed-side detecting means for detecting the state of the feed-side, merging means for merging the branched paths again and leading to the exhaust heat supply source, and a path branched from the branch means and connected to the exhaust heat utilization equipment. Flow rate adjusting means, a path-specific detecting means provided between each exhaust heat utilization device and the merging means for detecting a state of the heat medium, a bypass path branched from the branching means and directly connected to the merging means, A bypass flow rate adjusting means provided in a bypass path to adjust a flow rate of the heat medium in the bypass path, and a state of the heat medium which is located between the merging means and the exhaust heat supply source and returns to the merging means. Detect Return side detecting means, exhaust heat demand, and the flow rate adjusting means, the bypass flow rate adjusting means, and the radiator flow rate adjusting means based on output signals of the sending side detecting means, the return side detecting means and the path-specific detecting means. An exhaust heat distribution device comprising control means for controlling the means. 4. A pump for taking out and circulating a heat medium that mediates heat from an exhaust heat supply source, branching means for branching a circulation path of the heat medium, and the heat medium positioned between the pump and the branching means. Sending side detecting means for detecting the state of the sending side, joining means for joining the branched paths again and leading to the exhaust heat supply source, and a path provided from the branching means and connected to the exhaust heat utilization device, Flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium, path-specific detecting means for detecting the state of the heat medium provided between each exhaust heat utilization device and the merging means, and branching from the branching means. A bypass path directly connected to the means, a bypass flow rate adjusting means provided in the bypass path for detecting a state of the heat medium, and a path between the joining means and the exhaust heat supply source, returning to the joining means. Before Return side detecting means for detecting the state of the heat medium; exhaust heat demand; and the flow rate adjusting means and the bypass flow rate adjusting means based on output signals of the sending side detecting means, the return side detecting means and the path-specific detecting means. Means and a control means for controlling said radiator flow rate adjusting means. 5. An exhaust heat supply source, a heat exchanger, and an exhaust heat distribution
An exhaust heat distribution device that is adjustable and distributes exhaust heat to the exhaust heat utilization device, wherein the exhaust heat supply source and the exhaust heat distribution device are thermally connected to each other through the heat exchanger; An exhaust heat utilization system, wherein exhaust heat generated in a supply source is used by the exhaust heat utilization device. 6. The exhaust heat distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sending side detecting means and the returning side detecting means detect at least one of the temperature and the flow rate of the heat medium. . 7. The exhaust heat distribution device according to claim 3, wherein the path-specific detecting means detects at least one of a temperature and a flow rate of the heat medium. 8. The exhaust heat utilization system according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust heat distribution device is the exhaust heat distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.